St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-02-19
ANCIENT AMERICA.
An Interesting Example Found In
Santa Fe. New Mexico.
The Scat OF the Spanish Government and
the Center Of Many Rev0luti0ns-A
Modest "Palace"-Our Oldest
Buildings.

Buildings.
Santa Ee is said to be the oldest city
in America. That the statement is moi
true would he hard to prove, because the
question Of its origin and age is wrapped
in mystery. When Coronado explored
Mexico in 1872. he found many Indian
pueblos on the Rio Grand river. and
speaks of several which must have been
near the present location of Santa Fe.
The one which it is generally supposed
was on lis precise site was called Tequa,
and at that time stretched along its riv-
cr-banks for six miles. Coronado re.
ported that he found here beautiful
and fertile valley, under high cultiva-
tion by the Indians. This was in 1912.
Visiting Santa Fe to-day it is hard to
realize, ancient rs the old ruins look,
that one can really be gazing on walls
which Coronado saw nearly three CEN
turics and half ago.
1t is still harder to realize what must
have been the expressions and cruelties
which have brought about the present
degraded and wrctched condition Of
the Indians whose ancestors formerly
occupied and cultivated the whole val
ley. That a race which, over three
hundred years ago, had reached COM
fort and success in agricultural and
pastoral occupations, should be to-day
an abject, supine. wretched race OF
beggars, is a melancholy comment on
the injustice they have received. They
did not sink without struggles. In 1850
they drove out all the Spanish settlers.
and all the Roman Catholic priests
pulled down most Of the churches, anu
pathetic and significant act-cOvered
up and concealed, so far rs they could.
every mine in the country. Only too
well they knew that it was to the pres
ence of these precious metals that they
owed all their sufferinss.
For twelve years they held their own.
but in 1862 they were again conquered.
and the Spanish Government re-estab-
lished. After the last great battle in
this contest. four hundred young Indian
men and maidens are said to have been
distributed as slaves in the Spanish
families. After this, there were from
time to time revofts and instructions.
but each one only plunged the unfortu-
nate indians into deeper misery.
Sante Fe. being the seat Of Govern
ment, was always the point Of attack,
the chief centre Of strife, and very ter
rible scenes have been enacted there.
AS late as 1887. Mexican Governor.
who had ruled with great severity, and
laid oppressive and unjust taxes on the
Indians crops. was murdered by them
under circumstances of tragic horror.
Several of the pueblos. united to-
gether, had raised an army, and
marched on tn Santa Fe. undertaking
their force, the Governor went out to
meet them, aud was beaten back. He
then attempted to treat with them. but
they would hold no parley. and as he
was returning to the city. he was cap
tured. His head was cut OF, and kicked
like a fOet-b1il from camp to camp.
They then put it on pole. and set it up
defiantly within few rods Of the
city walls. The SECRETARY in whose
handwriting the obnoxious DEGREES had
been promulgated. they treated with
subtle cruelty. sparing his life. but cut
ting off both his hands. and setting him
free. with the t..unt that he would not
anv longer write orders for tyrants. At
night three brave Mexican women stole
out of Santa Fe, found the Governor s
body, wrapped it in blanket, and
buried it in the cemetery. now deserted,
on the hill northeast Of the Plaza. This
was the last struggle the Indians made.
They were soon subdued. and remained
peaceable till they came. with the rest of
the New Mexico citizens, under the gov
crnment of the United States in 1916.
There is still standing in Santa Fe
one building which has been the home
of the most prominent persons. and the
scene of the most important events,
through all these vicissitudes Of the city
and its government. 1t is still called.
As il was called when it was built in
1881, The Palace" Any thing less
ike palace could hardly be conceived
of. II is a low adobe building. one
story high. with verandah running its
entire length. 1t makes the north wall
of the Plaza. and in it arEstill the Gov
ernor's home and all the Offices of the
Government, the United States and ter
ritorial courtroom. libraries. Congress
halls, etc. 1t has been so often repaired
that Il has lost much Of its anaent look.
hut the massive walls and heavy hewn
beams remain unchanged. and will. no
doubt. bear their mute witness to its
antiquity for a century or more to come.
The Plaza on which it fronts is two
and q half acres square. weil-shaded,
nrovided with seats and, commanding a
view OF all the life there is in the town,
II is the hest possible point from which
70 gather an impression of Santa Fe
Sitting there. looking at the GOVERNOR
old palace on the north and the row
Of smart Jew shops on the south